
Late celebrity chef
Julia Child may have brought all things culinary to the masses, but there was one secret she kept from the world: She was a spy.
Newly released personnel records reveal that Julia Child was part of an
international spy ring managed by the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), an early version of the CIA created during World War II by President Theodore Roosevelt. Before she became a famous chef, Child helped the OSS
develop shark repellent, an explosives coating that was critical to protecting ammunition used to sink German U-boats during the war.

If you think you've got what it takes to be a celebrity chef, but
Top Chef is too professional and
Next Food Network Star not professional enough, then you'll be pleased to know that Rachael Ray is searching for you.
In a contest called "
So You Think You Can Cook?" Rachael is looking to give a "real person" — not a trained chef — the opportunity to show everyone who they are and what they can do.
"I'm always telling people how my career was an accident," Ray told the AP.

I read on another blog (apologies, I forget which one now...) that the
South Beach Wine & Food Festival is like Spring Break for the food industry. I wasn't there personally, but from the pictures I've seen, I'd have to say it seems pretty accurate. There was sun, sand, booze and partying.

Thanks to everyone who joined us in the
Live Chat Room. Today we discussed brownies, blue cheese, our favorite celebrity chefs, and everything in between. Be sure to catch the chat next Thursday at 11am PT / 2pm ET.